I’m Thinking of Ditching Cable TV. Again.
- January 12, 2010
- 3 comments
A couple of years ago I was considering dropping cable TV, but I never got around to doing it. I chickened out. Well I’m considering dropping it again.
I’m not sure exactly what alternatives would be. I could get a directional antenna to pick up the local channels (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, PBS) in HD. I have an Xbox 360 with Netflix that also lets me buy/rent TV shows and movies. And I have an AppleTV that is similar to the Xbox in terms of content, but gives me access to the iTunes store for content. I’m not sure I’d need anything else other than an internet connection which would remain with TimeWarnerCable.
This would save me about $750/year. It makes sense to drop cable TV on paper, but I’m finding it so hard to actually drop it!
Andy
January 31, 2010
After moving out of Geneva and not being able to get Cable or IPTV anymore the decision was quite an easy one for us.
Now we watch TV online via Zattoo which has all the regular channels for Switzerland and get movies off iTunes through an old Laptop I hooked up to the TV. Works quite nicely. I also installed Boxee for web video content… however I hardly ever use it – just easier to get to the content I want to watch using my MBP and a plain old browser.
We could always go for a Satellite dish which gives us the same channels as cable would but without the monthly cost. However we’ve gotten quite used to not wasting time channel surfing or playing catch-up with a DVR – I’d say we’re a lot more intentional about watching TV now.
I forgot to update this entry. I’ve since dropped cable TV and bumped my Internet. The quality of streaming video through Netflix and AppleTV is better than the “HD” cable I was getting. No ghosting or banding. No discernible compression.
I’m also very much enjoying the lack of annoying-as-hell ad breaks. Now the good parts of a TV show aren’t interrupted so someone can pitch their erectile dysfunction pill or retarded druid blanket at me.
I’m also enjoying perusing through TV shows I might not have checked out with normal cable TV. There’s really no negative to ditching cable TV so far!
I’ve never had cable in my life, but my wife and kid are pushing for us to get it.
I ask them what would they get that they can’t get now between Netflix, iTunes and Digital Broadcast.
The best my wife as come up with is “Jon Stewart”. But we’re asleep by then anyway.
Was annoying when the Division Series was only on TBS. But I could have gotten a subscription from MLB.com if I really cared.
So what’s the biggest single thing that you would be giving up?